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Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Hello,
Ophelia, thanks for joining me on Wednesday Whimsy. How long have
you owned your humans? How did you come to them?

I’ve known them since their daughter and
son-in-law rescued me. When they went away to college, I got to take over the
parents’ house. And take over, I did. Now they think I belong to them. Right…

What’s
the best way to train your human?

I sit and stare at the goodie bag. I have
these to die for gorgeous eyes, and when I stare from the bag to them and back
again, they can’t resist. It’s hilarious to listen to them. “Oh, look at those
pretty eyes. Do you wanna treat, Princess? Such a precious little girl.” Gag
me, but it gets the job done. Oh yeah, I own ‘em.

All that baby-talk is humiliating, isn't it! But you're right, those adorable looks

we give them work every time!

What
does Linda like to write?

She writes romance but wants to write
suspense. She’s all about spine tingling and scary stuff. I, personally, think
all of it’s rather silly. I find stalking a mouse much for satisfying and scary
for the mouse. That’s the way it should be. And in this 150 year old house,
there is always a mouse or two to catch…if I’m in the mood.

Ophelia, being beautiful!

How
do you help her write? Or do you help more with her agent’s job?

I really try not to distract her much. She
is so ADHD that if I spot a fly on the wall, she, too, will soon be tracking it
all over the room. So I just lay across my blanket on her office chair and look
beautiful. It’s not hard. Just one of the perks of being me! After all, I WAS
named after a great Shakespearean character. Beautiful, elegant, tragic…Ophelia.

Ahh! Nothing better than a cat's life!

Do
you have any advice for fellow canine muses to get the most out of their jobs?

Canine? This is a clean, family-friendly
post. Let’s not use such nasty words!

Oh, well, I thought I'd give it a shot since dogs need all the help they can get from

a more cunning species such as ours!

What’s
the best way to stay out of trouble?

Hahaha. While you’re laughing inside after
being caught on a counter, you just look remorseful. Give them the old “I am
sooo sorry. What WAS I thinking?” look and then wait for them to hike on out of
the room so you can do whatever you like. And they fall for the “I’m sorry”
like a hiker over the edge of a cliff. OR, and this is important, just let themthink they run the show. It gives them
some strange sense of self-importance. If only they knew…

Maybe I should try that "I'm sorry" look. Thank you for the tip! I appreciate the time you took for our little chat.

About Linda S. Glaz:

Linda S. Glaz, a Hartline agent, is an experienced editor, reviewer and writer, has participated as a final reader for Wild Rose Press, then for White Rose Publishing all the while reviewing for online sites. She has worked as an editorial assistant for Hartline Agent Terry Burns. She's extremely active in the judging community and speaks at conferences nationwide. She is also a member of AWSA. Linda understands writers, because she IS a writer.

Monday, July 14, 2014

First, I need to make an announcement. The winner of
of last week's drawing for Brave New Century is Elaine Stock!

I would say, “Lucky me!” However, I believe I’m blessed, not
lucky. Anyway, I had my first book signing at Blue Frog Books and More in
Howell, Michigan on Saturday, July 12th. It’s an awesome little mom and pop bookstore where they’re
always glad to see you. Old-fashioned service and a passion for books are their
hallmark. Our tables were set up in the back. The store walls are lined with
beautiful wood bookshelves and you can inhale the fragrance of new paper and
fresh ink—something you can’t do with ebooks! Thank you,
Rob and Penny, for hosting us!

Your writing prompt challenge this week is to think of a
“first” in your life. Examples: First day of school, first kiss, first day
behind the driver’s wheel, first house, birth of a first child . . . only
limited by what you can come up with. Take five to ten minutes and think of the
impressions that “first” left on you—the scents, the sounds, what you saw or
tasted, how did the day feel? Have fun on your trip down memory lane.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Is writer’s block just that? Let me word it another way: Is
there really such a thing as writer’s block? I have never liked that term. I
know I can write when I put my mind to it. There are so many characters and
stories in my mind, waiting to get out, that it’s not for lack of material.

Then there were the times that I was drained physically or
emotionally that, try as I might, it didn’t seem I had enough emotion to write
into my character’s lives. At one point, I even felt the Lord’s gentle voice
telling me to “rest”—at least from writing fiction—and I began to write devotionals
for a time. That was a good learning experience for me.

After I became unemployed again in early February, I thought
how great it would be to have plenty of time to work on my writing. However,
that was part of my problem. I no longer had to reserve my writing time for
twenty minutes or so at Starbucks before work, or during lunch and hope to find
additional time on the weekend. I had a whole day before me, so why not start with
coffee and email, then write a blog post. When I was done with all that I
needed to get going and run errands, clean or cook. Before I knew it, another
day was gone and I would go to sleep with thoughts in my head of how wonderful
it would be to write tomorrow.

"The Scream" by Edvard Munch {PD in the US}

Some days I accomplished a little, but what was stopping me
from digging in and racking up those word counts? I read books that encouraged writers
to keep writing, saying encouraging me to write over 2,000 words a day, that it
wasn’t that difficult. I took the advice of keeping a writing appointment each
day, but still wasn’t making the kind of progress I wanted.

Each day I would look at that rectangle of white on the
screen and the words rolled around in my mind, but they didn’t make it quickly
onto the page. I’d ask myself where I should start or what should come next,
but I would begin with trepidation. Only after I had taken some time and worked
myself into the “zone” was I able to relax.

What was causing this block to my productivity? Fear caused
my lack of confidence and snail like pace. My internal editor was on high alert
and critical of everything.The
fear of failure lurked within, holding me back.

Then I decided to read Jim Denney’s, Writing in Overdrive, where he hypothesizes that some of the world’s
greatest writers did their best work in compressed amounts of time, giving
themselves to the pure joy of writing. Hmm . . . I’d also read over and over
that if you write a first draft, you give yourself something to work with—it
doesn’t have to be perfect the first time around.

Talking with other inspirational writers who were very
productive, I was invited to participate in a group, which keeps you
accountable for daily word count, but most importantly, they prayed for me. It
was the first time in my writing life I prayed a different way for my
productivity—and for others’.

Making a word count goal for the month, giving it to the
Lord and sharing it with others made a difference. I started to take off and
really enjoy writing again. No longer was it a mechanical process to be feared,
but a story freely taking shape. Mind you, my draft will need plenty of editing
and rewriting, but I have another novel manuscript first draft nearly finished.

What made the most difference in curing my writer’s terror?
Accountability, prayer and allowing myself to enjoy writing again each played a
big part. I still have my slower days, but pushing and challenging myself to a
larger word count than usual helped turn writer’s terror into creative
productivity.May you go and achieve even more!
Leave a comment or follow for a chance to win Brave New Century this week!

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

The eyes have been called the window of the soul. We use our
eyes not just to see and perceive others, but also to express ourselves to
others. Depending on how we look at others, they may see anger, withdrawal,
sadness, happiness, or affection, for starts.

When I am writing a scene and I think of how my main
character perceives another, I think about how I can reveal emotion in the
other character’s eyes and face. Their eyes may shine with happiness or they
may arch an eyebrow when questioning or numerous other things. These aren’t the
most original examples, but you understand what I’m getting at no doubt.

My writing prompt for you this week is to look at eyes,
whether in a picture here
or someone in your house, even a pet. (My cat knows
just how to cock her head to
the side and giving me the cutest look with those
big green eyes when she wants
a treat. I inevitably fall for her tried and true
method.)

Now take the expression or emotions which you believe can be seen in the chosen
person’s or animal’s eyes and think of a unique way to write about this, rather
than cliché. Take a few minutes and have some fun!

Friday, July 4, 2014

In 1944, Hadassah Benjamin feels abandoned by God when she is saved from a
firing squad only to be handed over to a new enemy. Pressed into service by
SS-Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt at the transit camp of Theresienstadt in
Czechoslovakia, her Aryan-like looks allow her to hide behind the false
identity of Stella Muller. However, to maintain her cover as von Schmidt’s
secretary, she is forced to stand by as her own people are sent to Auschwitz.

Suspecting her employer is a man of hidden depths, Stella appeals to him on
behalf of those in the camp. Aric's indulgence gives her hope even as she risks
discovery with every attempt to help the prisoners. When her bravery brings her
to the point of ultimate sacrifice, she faces an excruciating choice. God may
have brought her to the camp for such a time as this, but how can she save her
people when she cannot save herself?

Pastor's wife, Kirstie Donovan, lives life in a fishbowl,
so when she hops on the back of a bright pink motorcycle, tongues start to wag
at the conservative, century-old First Independent Christian Community Church
of Eels Falls.

Kirstie loves roaring down a road less traveled by most
women over forty, but she's not just riding her bike for the fun of it. Kirstie
has a ministry. However, certain church members have secrets to hide, and when
God uses Kirstie's ministry to fill the pews with leather-clad, tattooed
bikers, those secrets could be exposed...and some will stop at nothing to hide
the truth.

Join Kirstie and her motorcycle "gang" - two
church matrons and a mouthy, gum-smacking non-church member - as they discover
that road-toughened bikers are quite capable of ministering to others, and
faith is fortified in the most unexpected ways.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Thunderstorms. Lightning, thunder and sheets of rain! Oh my!
From soft, romantic summer rains to turbulent, windy storms, we’ve seen lots of
rain this last month.

Think of the last rainstorm you were really aware of. Were
you out in it? Or just watching from the inside of a house or car? How did the
rain feel? Or sound? How did the air around you smell? What did you see? Take a
few minutes to write about a recent thunderstorm and the circumstances you were
in at the time.

Give yourself permission to really enjoy your writing time. You
may find a new story taking shape or perhaps a stellar piece of creative
nonfiction!

Welcome to Kathleen Rouser & Cat!

This is where we chat about the good, my cat, Lilybits, and the inspirational. You'll find (we hope) humor, encouragement and a chance to learn about Christian authors and their writing. We're so glad you came to visit!

About Me

SHORT BIO

Kathleen Rouser has loved making up stories since she was a little girl and wanted to be a writer before she could read. She desires to create characters, who resonate with readers and realize the need for a transforming Savior in their everyday lives. Previously a homeschool mom, she more recently has been a college student and is sometimes a mild-mannered dental assistant by day. Along with her sassy tail-less cat, she lives in the Midwest with her hero and husband of 33 years, who not only listens to her stories, but also cooks for her.